Consumer Guidelines on Memory Card Erasure
Data Security in Card Disposal and Transfer
 Support for Data Eraser Software and Services
The methods below are seen to be currently effective ways of wiping data from the memory of a memory card.
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(a)
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Using specialized software to write a fixed pattern one or more times to the entire memory, overwriting the existing data.
(A similar effect can be achieved by shooting scenes of no particular importance with a camera, filling up the maximum number of frames.)
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(b)
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Electrically deleting data by means of a specialized device or special command.
- This may in some cases be accompanied by physical destruction.
- Some combinations of memory cards and cameras electrically delete data from internal memory when a memory card is formatted in the camera.
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(c)
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Physically destroying the memory.
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The choice of methods for erasing data depends on the status of the memory card and its internal memory. Some examples are indicated below.
| Memory Card Status |
Data Erasure Methods |
(1) The memory card is in normal
usable condition. |
· Wipe data using specialized software.
· Wipe data using specialized hardware.
· Physically destroy the memory.
|
(2) Inserting the memory card
causes a message to be displayed
such as "Invalid card" or
"Do you want to format?" |
·Format and wipe data using specialized software.
·Wipe data using specialized hardware.
·Physically destroy the memory.
|
(3) The memory is unusable
(completely unrecognized by host equipment, etc.). |
·Physically destroy the memory. |
The question as to how memory card vendors should involve themselves with data eraser software or services is basically one that needs to be answered individually by each vendor. Accordingly, these guidelines do not cover the erasure methods to be used by such software or services, or the degree of completeness they should achieve.
Vendors should, however, make every effort to inform consumers of the considerable differences in erasure methods based on the level of erasure required by users and the status of the memory card and its memory, as pointed out above; moreover, they should strive to avoid problems with consumers by indicating clearly such matters as the available methods, the degree of risk, and the time required for wiping data from a memory card completely.
It is especially important to make consumers aware that no matter who uses eraser software or services, it is not possible to be 100 percent responsible for data erasure. Consumers need to understand that these measures are taken "just in case," for privacy protection and to prevent possible harm to the public interest.
For those who would like a more complete explanation, the attached reference material presents some technical background to data erasure, along with a "Q&A" list.
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